First game you watched live as a supporter?
It was probably my hometown club, Polonia Słubice. I wasn’t actually a supporter - I was a ball boy!
I don’t remember who they played against, but during half-time, the away team, when they were doing warm-ups, allowed me to go in goal, and they were shooting against me, so I had a really good time doing that.
First football hero?
My first football hero was Roberto Baggio, but my first goalkeeping idol was Gianluca Pagliuca.
The first time I watched a big competition on TV when I was a kid was the FIFA World Cup in 1994, and the Italian team got to the final of the competition, and they were doing really well.
Pagliuca was one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper of the tournament, and Baggio was probably the biggest star of the Italian team.
First football boots?
They were called Korner PRLs. They’re not a big brand and were probably the cheapest pair of football boots you could buy.
First kit?
I remember having a Brazil t-shirt. It wasn’t like a full kit, it was just the top. I also remember getting a plain goalkeeping shirt that just had padded sleeves and shoulders as a Christmas gift.
I remember just being really happy when I opened the present. I actually got it from my auntie, and I remember this gift really, really well.
First mentor in football?
Probably my first coach at my hometown club, Polonia Słubice, and his name is Jerzy Grabowski. He was my first coach that actually picked me to join my hometown club, my local team, so I’m going to say him.
First professional game?
I played one cup game for Lech Poznań, against Arka Gdynia in October 2004. I don’t remember much of it, but I do remember playing for Legia Warsaw, my first ever professional game at the highest level in the top division in Poland.
We drew 0-0, also against Arka Gdynia, in July 2005. It was a very hot day, and we played away from home. That’s about all I remember from it.
First professional penalty save?
I don’t think I saved any penalties in the Polish League, but when I moved to England, I remember saving one for Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League against Partizan Belgrade in September 2010. That was a great feeling, and we ended up winning the game 3-1.
First red card?
I’ve only ever been sent off once, and it was actually against West Ham when I was playing for Swansea City, in December 2014, for a foul on Diafra Sakho. It’s been over ten years since then, and I hope I never get another red card!
